Brian Metzler Named Editor-In-Chief Of Competitor

Brian Metzler, the new editor-in-chief of Competitor magazine and Competitor.com.

The Illinois native will lead the brand’s print and online efforts.

SAN DIEGO — It was announced this morning that Brian Metzler has been hired as the new editor-in-chief of Competitor magazine and Competitor.com. He will report directly to Kurt Hoy, content director of the Competitor Group’s four media brands.

Metzler, who most recently served as senior editor of Running Times magazine and senior editor for Runner’s World — The Trail, was also founding editor and former associate publisher of Trail Runner and Adventure Sports magazines.

“I’m excited to work with Kurt and build on the legacy of Competitor as the world’s leading voice for runners and endurance athletes,” Metzler said. “My goal [at Competitor] is to continue building on the excellent work of the entire team, creating dynamic run-oriented content that educates, inspires and entertains readers of all abilities and backgrounds.”

A middle-distance runner in high school, Metzler later walked-on to the track team at the University of Illinois, where he studied journalism. Metzler is the author of “Running Colorado’s Front Range” (2003, Mountain Sports Press) and the co-author of “Natural Running” (2010, Velo Press) and has also written for a variety of magazines, newspapers and websites as a freelance writer, including Triathlete, Inside Triathlon, Men’s Journal, Outside, Men’s Health, National Geographic Adventure, The Denver Post and The Chicago Tribune.

“Brian is a perfect fit. He’s experienced and relevant—there isn’t a more qualified person in the running space,” Hoy said. “I look forward to seeing how he builds on Competitor’s 25-year legacy. And, of course, I want to see how fast he is!”

Metzler has served on the USATF Mountain/Ultra/Trail council, has helped direct several races and has also coached runners for 10Ks, marathons and ultramarathons. He has run more than 60,000 miles in his lifetime, wear-tested more than 1,000 pairs of running shoes and raced just about every distance from 50 yards to 100 miles. He has also dabbled in triathlon, mountain biking, cycling, ski mountaineering and the peculiar sport of burro racing.

Duncan Larkin

Duncan Larkin is a freelance journalist and author who’s been covering the sport of running for over a decade. He’s run 2:32 in the marathon and won the Himalayan 100-Mile Stage Race in 2007. He wrote the book RUN SIMPLE, and coaches runners of all abilities.
You can learn more about him here: http://roadsmillslaps.tumblr.com/about